Dispensing of rinse additives into the rinse cycle during automatic machine laundering of fabrics

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are systems, methods, devices and kits for the timed dispensing of laundry rinse additive materials into the drum of an automatic washing machine as that machine is used to carry out a fabric laundering operation. To bring about such dispensing of rinse additives, a housing structure device is placed within the drum of an automatic washing machine, a unit dose insert package, containing laundry rinse additives in at least one compartment of the insert, is placed within the housing structure, and the machine is run through the several stages of its laundering cycle. Means are provided to open at least one rinse additive-containing compartment of the insert later in the laundering cycle to dispense contents of this compartment into the washing machine drum as rinse additive materials. The means for opening such compartments of the insert are activated by centrifugal force arising during the spin cycle of the laundering operation. This spin cycle centrifugal force also holds the contents of the opened insert compartment(s) within the structure until the rinse cycle of the laundering operation, whereupon those contents are dispensed from the housing structure into the washing machine drum.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Serial No. 60/356,544, filed Feb. 13, 2002(Attorney Docket No. CM2645FP).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to systems, methods, devices andkits for adding separate rinse additive materials to the drum (tub) ofan automatic fabric laundering (washing) machine during the rinse cycleof its operation. The separate rinse additive materials themselves arepackaged in a unit dose form which is inserted into a holder device(housing structure) within the washing machine drum in order to effectdispensing of the rinse additive materials into the washing machine drumat the appropriate time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are a great many types of laundry additive materialssuitable for use in automatic washing machines for fabric laundering.Cleaning agents such as surfactants and detergent builders are used toassist in the mechanical removal of soil and stains from fabrics beinglaundered. Bleaching agents, enzymes and adjuvants relating thereto aredesigned to promote chemical degradation and removal of soils andstains. Fabric conditioners, softeners, anti-wrinkle agents, soilrelease materials and similar agents serve to alter and enhance thecondition, appearance or feel of laundered fabrics. Other auxiliarymaterials, such as pH adjustment and control agents, buffers, solvents,dispersants, anti-redeposition agents, dye transfer inhibitors,stabilizers, preservatives, perfumes, dyes and the like are used toalter the aqueous environment in the automatic washing machine drum toprovide for optimum performance of the active laundry additive materialsor to improve the quality or aesthetics of commercialized laundryproducts containing these active additive materials.

[0004] The several types of laundry additive materials describedhereinbefore, frequently intermingled or admixed together in a widevariety of combinations for convenience, are commonly marketed toconsumers in bulk quantities, in either solid, i.e., granular or tablet,or liquid form. To carry out the laundering operation, the consumer thenadds aliquots of product as needed or desired from the bulk productsinto the automatic washing machine drum in appropriate amounts and atappropriate times during the laundering cycle.

[0005] It would be desirable, and a number of attempts have been made,to market fabric laundering products in “unit dose” form wherebyaliquots of laundry additive materials are provided in pre-measured,pre-packaged form. The consumer can then conveniently add one of theseunit dose aliquots to the automatic washing machine, e.g., into thedrum, at the beginning of the laundry cycle and not have to measureproduct from bulk or add product to the cycle at different subsequentpoints in time.

[0006] Several factors complicate the provision of certain types oflaundry additive materials in unit dose form. In the first place, sometypes and forms of laundry additives are not compatible with each otherwithin a single concentrated product. Different types of materials maychemically interact with each other when admixed in concentrated form,thereby degrading and rendering one or both types ultimately ineffectivefor its intended purpose. Such incompatibility works against combiningsuch materials together within a single unit dose product.

[0007] The major complicating factor in providing unit dose laundryproducts is that different types of laundry additives work best underdifferent sets of conditions. Such different conditions are those whichoccur as the laundering operation progresses through its cycles whichgenerally include washing and rinsing stages within the drum. The needtherefore arises to add different types of laundry additives to thewashing machine drum at different times during the laundering procedure.Most importantly, a number of types of fabric conditioners and softenersand other additives are best added to the rinse stages of the launderingoperation. This is because many of these materials do not work in theway they are intended if they are present in the relatively high pHwashing stages in the presence of chemically incompatible surfactants,builders, enzymes and other types of materials which perform theirfunctions in the washing cycle(s). Thus even when provided in unit doseform, a number of materials which are typically thought of as rinseadditives must be placed in the washing machine during the rinse cycle,well after the initial stages of the laundering operation have begun.This can create the need for the consumer to return to the washingmachine at the beginning of the rinse cycle to add the materials whichare to function during the rinsing operation.

[0008] A number of attempts have been made to permit the consumer toplace rinse additive materials into devices or dispensers at thebeginning of the laundering operation with those devices or dispensersserving to add the rinse additives to the rinse cycle automatically.Rinse addition can thus occur without further consumer involvement whenthe rinse cycle is reached later in the laundering operation. Many ofsuch devices and dispensers operate by having their dispensing actionactivated by the centrifugal force. Centrifugal force, of course, arisesas a consequence of the spin cycle in the machine laundering process. Afast spin cycle generally follows the washing step and serves to drainthe washing machine drum of wash water prior to the addition of rinsewater for the rinse cycle which follows the spin cycle.

[0009] Use of centrifugal force activated devices, dispensers orpackages for delivery of rinse additives to the rinse cycles in anautomatic laundering machine operation is not without its difficulties.In the first place, it is not simple or straightforward to fashion suchdevices, dispensers or packages in a way such that they are useful withor as unit dose packages of rinse additives. In the second place,systems utilizing unit dose packages of rinse additives must be designedso that the unit dose can survive the stresses and rigors of the washingstages of the laundering operation while remaining unopened and intact.Finally, the centrifugal force-activated dispensing means for the unitdose must be configured so that the unit dose of rinse additives is notadded to the washing machine drum too soon after the spin cycle begins.If the rinse additive contents of the unit dose are released into thedrum too early, much of these contents are lost with the wash waterbeing drained from the drum during the spin cycle.

[0010] Given the foregoing difficulties in formulating unit doseproducts for use as rinse additives, it is an objective of the presentinvention to provide a system which can effectively utilize rinseadditive products in unit dose form to deliver rinse adjuvants to thedrum of an automatic fabric laundering machine during the rinse stage ofits operational cycle. Such an objective is realized by providing a unitdose in the form of a certain type of rigid or flexible package. Such apackage is then placed as an insert into a certain type of housingdevice which is positioned within the washing machine drum and whichserves to bring about the desired manner and timing of dispensing ofrinse additives into the washing machine drum for the rinse cycle.

BACKGROUND ART

[0011] Devices which can dispense laundry additive materials into one ormore stages of a machine laundering operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,186,573 and PCT Publication WO 01/25526. Products in the form of apouch or container which can be used for the staged or delayeddispensing of laundry additive materials into a machine fabriclaundering operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,026,131;4,260,054; and 4,588,080; and in Canadian Patent 1,133,712. Arrangementsinvolving a dispensing device and a pre-packaged amount of laundryadditive material for staged or timed dispensing during a launderingoperation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,379,515 and 4,882,917 and inPCT Publications WO 01/07703 and WO 01/07702.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In its system aspects, the present invention is directed to anarrangement of mechanical elements which provides for the timeddispensing of rinse additive materials into the rinse stage of thelaundering cycle which occur during the operation of a drum-containingautomatic fabric laundering machine. Such an arrangement comprises arigid housing structure positioned within the washing machine drum, aunit dose package which can be placed as an insert within the housingand which contains the rinse additive materials to be dispensed into thewashing machine drum, means for opening the insert to permit the releaseof its contents into the housing structure and means for permitting flowof the emptied rinse additive materials from the housing structure intothe washing machine drum.

[0013] The rigid housing structure is positioned within the washingmachine drum in a location which brings it into significant contact withrinse water in the drum during the laundering operation. Typically thehousing structure will be attached to the inner circumferential wall ofthe washing machine drum.

[0014] The unit dose insert package can be placed within the housingstructure at the beginning of the laundering operation. This insert maybe flexible or rigid and can comprise one or more separate compartments.At least one compartment of the insert must contain the rinse additivematerial which is to be eventually added to the contents of the washingmachine drum during the rinse stage of the laundering cycle.

[0015] The system herein also comprises means associated with either thehousing structure or with the insert or with both to open at least therinse additive-containing compartment of the unit dose insert. Theopening of this compartment occurs after initiation of the spin cycle ofthe washing machine operation, and the means for opening thiscompartment of the insert are activated by the centrifugal force whicharises as a consequence of running through the spin cycle during theoperation of the washing machine. The opening of the rinse additivecompartment(s) of the insert permits the emptying of the compartmentcontents within the housing structure. These emptied or emptiablecontents are then held within the housing structure by the spin cyclecentrifugal force.

[0016] Finally the system herein comprises aperture means, e.g., holes,associated with the housing structure. The purpose of such housingstructure aperture means is to permit the gravitational flow of therinse additive materials from the housing structure into the rinse waterin the washing machine drum after cessation of the spin cyclecentrifugal force.

[0017] In its method aspects, the present invention relates to theprocedure of using the system described hereinbefore to bring about theappropriately timed dispensing of rinse additive materials into therinse stage of the laundering cycle during the operation of adrum-containing automatic washing machine for fabric laundering. Such amethod comprises first positioning the rigid housing structurehereinbefore described within the drum of the automatic washing machinein a location which will bring the housing into significant contact withrinse water during the rinse cycle stage. Then, a unit dose package ashereinbefore described and containing rinse additive material to bedispensed is placed as an insert into the housing structure at thebeginning of the laundering operation. As noted, such an insert containsat least one compartment holding rinse additive material which is toeventually be added to the contents of the washing machine drum duringthe rinse stage of the laundering cycle.

[0018] The automatic washing machine is then run through its operationalcycle, including its spin cycle, to thereby activate via centrifugalforce from the spin cycle the insert opening means associated with thehousing structure and/or with the unit dose insert package. This spincycle serves to open the compartment(s) of the insert containing rinseadditive material, thereby enabling the emptying of such contents fromthe unit dose insert. Such contents are then held within the housingstructure by the same ongoing spin cycle centrifugal force whichactivates the insert opening means. Finally the washing machine cycle iscontinued through to its rinse cycle which removes the spin cyclecentrifugal force from the housing structure and permits rinse additivematerial from the insert to pass by gravitational flow through theaperture means in the housing structure and into the rinse water thenentering the washing machine drum.

[0019] In its device aspects, the present invention relates to adispensing device which is an embodiment of the rigid housing structureof the type hereinbefore described. It is this dispensing device whichis to hold the unit dose package insert as hereinbefore described andbring about the timed addition of rinse additive materials from theinsert into the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle.

[0020] The device is in the form of a housing structure which must berigid and suitable for holding an openable unit dose package containingthe rinse additive material. The structure must also have an openingwhich is suitable for permitting insertion of the openable rinseadditive unit dose package into the housing structure.

[0021] Further the housing structure devices herein must have means forpositioning and securing the structure against the inner wall of thedrum of the automatic washing machine in which it is to be used. Suchmeans must be suitable for securing the housing structure in a positionsuch that it will be subjected to centrifugal force arising during thewashing machine spin cycle. In such a position, the structure must alsobe capable of holding and retaining within it, by virtue of thatcentrifugal force, any rinse additive material emptied or emptiable fromthe openable unit dose insert package once the insert has been opened.

[0022] Finally, the housing structure devices must contain aperturemeans therein placed in the housing structure in such a manner as topermit emptied or emptiable rinse additive contents of the opened insertto pass by gravitational flow through such aperture means and into therinse water present in the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle.This gravitational flow occurs after cessation of the centrifugal forceat the end of the spin cycle and the beginning of the rinse cycle.Preferably also the housing structure devices herein will furthercontain means, such as puncturing or rupturing knives, which will openthe unit dose insert package placed therein, upon activation of thoseopening means by spin cycle centrifugal force.

[0023] In its “kit” aspects, the present invention relates tocombinations of items which can be provided or sold together in order tofacilitate assembly and use of the rinse additive material dispensingsystems herein and the practice of the methods of this invention. Thussuch kits can comprise the combination of the unit dose insert packageas hereinbefore described and the rigid housing structure also ashereinbefore described. Such kits can also comprise the unit dosepackage inserts in combination with instructions on how to use suchinserts with a pre-existing rigid housing structure in order to assemblethe laundry additive dispensing systems herein or in order to carry outthe methods-of-use herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 of the drawings represents a rigid housing structure whichcan hold a unit dose package insert of rinse additive material.

[0025]FIG. 2 of the drawings shows a rigid housing structure which canbe utilized in the present invention, which is holding a unit doseinsert package and which is positioned against the inside wall of awashing machine drum.

[0026]FIG. 3 of the drawings shows an exploded view of the FIG. 2system, showing how the housing structure is constructed and attached toa washing machine drum.

[0027]FIG. 4 of the drawings shows an exploded view of another type ofrinse additive delivery system which utilizes a housing structure havingassociated with it means for opening the unit dose insert it holds.

[0028]FIG. 5A of the drawings is a perspective view showing anembodiment of the housing structure and unit dose insert package of thepresent invention.

[0029]FIG. 5B of the drawings is a second perspective view of theembodiment of FIG. 5A.

[0030]FIG. 5C of the drawings is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.5A.

[0031]FIG. 6A of the drawings is a perspective view showing anembodiment of the unit dose insert package of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 6B of the drawings is a front view of the embodiment of FIG.6A

[0033]FIG. 6C of the drawings is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Dispensing of laundry rinse additive materials in accordance withthis invention takes place in a conventional automatic washing machineuseful for the laundering of fabrics. Such automatic washing machinesare those typically found in the home or in businesses such asself-service laundromats wherein individual consumers can launder theirown loads of fabrics.

[0035] Automatic washing machines of the “North American” configurationtypically utilize an upright or vertical drum or tub into which fabricsto be laundered are placed. Fabrics and laundry additives are added intothe washing machine tub or drum, which is usually cylindrical, from thelidded top of the machine and are thus generally referred to as“top-loading” machines. Such North American style machines willfrequently utilize a vertical agitator element placed along the axis ofthe drum. Rotation and vertical motion of the agitator serves tointensify the contact of fabrics in the drum with wash and rinse waterin the drum. Japanese washing machines are typically similar inconfiguration to the North American machines.

[0036] Automatic washing machines of the “European” configurationcommonly utilize a drum or tub, also generally cylindrical, which ispositioned with the drum axis sideways or in a horizontal position.Fabrics and laundry additive materials are placed into the tub or drumof a washing machine of this configuration though a door on the frontwall of the machine and are thus generally referred to as“front-loading” machines. Automatic washing machines of the Europeanconfiguration typically do not utilize an agitator device or element.

[0037] Both North American and European automatic washing machinesutilize a cycle of operation wherein the machine goes through a seriesof steps in which water is added, contacted with fabrics being launderedand then removed from the washing machine drum. Thus after fabrics areadded to the drum, the first step in the laundering cycle is usually awashing step wherein significant amounts of water are added to the drum.The washing step involves a period wherein the fabrics being launderedare contacted with substantial amounts of water, generally withagitation or rotation of the drum. Water in the washing step willusually contain the primary laundry wash additives such as surfactants,builders, bleaches and/or enzymes which assist in and promote theremoval of soil and stains from the fabrics being laundered.

[0038] At the conclusion of the washing step, water is removed from thewashing machine drum. Frequently, this is brought about by gravity flowof wash water from the drum through appropriate valve configurations.Generally wash water is also removed by means of centrifugal forcebrought about by the drum rotating rapidly in a spin cycle. Thiscentrifugal force moves water in the drum through holes or apertures inthe circumferential walls of the drum. These holes lead to drainagemeans which can be opened and shut.

[0039] After the initial spin cycle, clean water is added back to thedrum in a rinse cycle. Secondary laundry rinse additives such as fabricsofteners or conditioners are generally contacted with the fabrics beinglaundered during the rinse cycle. Washing machine operation may alsoinvolve several additional spinning and rinsing cycles.

[0040] The present invention relates to the time specific dispensing oflaundry rinse additive materials into the drum of an automatic washingmachine as that machine is used for fabric laundering operations. Forpurposes of this invention, “laundry rinse additive materials” or simply“rinse additives” can comprise any solid or liquid materials which areconventionally added to the automatic washing machine drum during therinse cycle of the fabric laundering procedure. Thus the list ofsuitable “laundry rinse additive materials” includes, but is not limitedto, fabric softeners and conditioners, bleaches, enzymes, bleach andenzyme stabilizers, bleach and enzyme activators, aqueous andnon-aqueous solvents, pH adjustment and control agents, dye transferinhibitors, preservatives, anti-microbial agents, soil release agents,anti-wrinkle agents, chelating agents, optical brighteners, perfumes,pro-perfumes, dyes, and carriers.

[0041] Although there may be some overlap in the two classes ofmaterials, “rinse additive materials” as used herein will generally bedifferent and distinct from “laundry wash additive materials” or “washadditives” which may also be added to the laundering procedure, inaddition to “rinse additive materials” in connection with someembodiments of the present invention. “Wash additive materials” willgenerally refer to any solid or liquid materials which areconventionally added to the automatic washing machine drum, along withfabrics being laundered, during the wash cycle of the launderingprocedure. The wash cycle typically occurs at the beginning of thelaundering operation. Most commonly, wash additive materials caninclude, but are not limited to, primary cleaning agents such asdetersive surfactants and detergent builders, chelating agents,anti-redeposition agents, dispersants, suds suppressors, suds boosters,and some of the same kinds of cleaning agents like bleaches and enzymesand adjuvants therefore which may also be used as rinse additives. Amore detailed description of various laundry additive materials of boththe rinse and wash variety can be found in WO 00/02982 and WO 00/02987.

[0042] The system, methods, devices and kits of the present inventionare intended to provide timed dispensing of laundry rinse additivematerials into the laundering process from a single unit dose packagewhich contains such additives. Such rinse additive materials aredispensed into the washing machine as the machine proceeds through itsoperational spin and rinse cycles as hereinbefore described. This isaccomplished using a rigid housing structure which is positioned withinthe machine and which holds and preferably opens a unit dose packagecontaining the rinse additive materials to be dispensed. Ideally theunit dose used herein can be used to deliver from 10 to 50 grams,preferably from 15 to 35 grams, of laundry rinse additives to one ormore “rinse” cycles of an automatic washing machine launderingoperation.

[0043] The rigid housing structure used in the instant invention must bepositioned within the washing machine drum throughout the wash, spin andrinse cycles. Generally, the rigid housing structure will be positionedwithin the washing machine drum in a location such that it will be incontact with the rinse water in or being added to the drum during therinse cycles of the laundering operation.

[0044] Positioning of the rigid housing structure may be accomplished byattaching the housing to some specific point within the washing machinedrum. Alternatively, the housing may be positioned by utilizing anunattached structure which is of such a shape or configuration that itsuitably positions itself within the washing machine drum as aconsequence of the forces it encounters during the laundering operation,or at least during the spin and rinse cycles.

[0045] Preferably, at the beginning of the laundering operation, thehousing structure will be attached to some specific spot within thewashing machine drum wherein it will stay during the entire launderingcycle. The housing structure may be positioned on or near the washingmachine agitator (if there is one) or may be positioned on the floor(top loaders) or rear wall (front loaders) of the drum. Most preferably,however, the rigid housing structure will be affixed to the innercircumferential wall of the washing machine drum in a position so thatat least at some point during the rinsing cycles it is in contact withwater used in the cycle. For North American washing machines, thisposition will preferably be below the fill line for rinse water in thedrum.

[0046] The rigid housing structure may be of any suitable shape orconfiguration so long as it has an open inner volume within which theunit dose insert package can be placed and carried. The function andpurpose of the rigid housing structure is to protect the integrity ofthe rinse additive unit dose package during the wash cycle(s) and to actas a receptacle for the contents of the unit dose package once thatpackage has been opened during the spin cycle. Accordingly, the rigidhousing structure will substantially surround the unit dose package oncethat package has been inserted into the housing. This may entailprovision of an opening in the housing structure fitted with a lid whichcan be opened in order to permit insertion of the unit dose package andclosed after the unit dose package has been inserted into the housingstructure. Alternatively, the structure may comprise a base with ahinged cover that opens and closes to permit introduction of andsubsequent protection for the unit dose insert.

[0047] Since the function and purpose of the housing structure is toprotect the unit dose package it carries during the wash cycle(s), thestructure must be “rigid.” For purposes of this invention, a housingstructure is “rigid” if it does not deform sufficiently to prematurelyrupture or otherwise open the unit dose insert it carries as aconsequence of forces or stresses which it encounters during the washcycle(s).

[0048] The rigid housing structure can be fashioned from any suitablesolid material including plastic, metal, ceramic, wood, etc. so long asthe structure maintains its configuration and mode of operation throughthe laundering cycle and in contact with the wash and rinse water usedand with the laundry additive materials released from the opened unitdose insert. Preferably the rigid housing structure will be fashionedfrom thermoformed or injection molded plastic so that it can be readilyand cost effectively mass-produced.

[0049] The rigid housing structure serves to carry a unit dose package,placed therein at the beginning of the laundering operation, through tothe spin and rinse cycles. This unit dose insert package will compriseat least one compartment containing rinse additive materials which areto be dispensed into the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle.The means for opening this rinse additive-containing unit dose insertare activated by spin cycle centrifugal force as described in greaterdetail hereinafter. Accordingly, the rigid housing structure must alsobe configured to deal with the contents of the unit dose insert packageonce that package has been opened within the housing during the spincycle.

[0050] Thus the rigid housing structure must also be configured topermit water to eventually enter the structure during the rinse cycle ofthe laundering operation and to permit the rinse additive contents ofthe opened insert to be dispensed from the structure into the washingmachine drum. Most frequently this configuration will involveappropriately placed and positioned holes or apertures in the housingstructure through which rinse water from the laundering operation canenter and leave and through which rinse additive materials from theopened insert can flow into the washing machine drum.

[0051] Finally, the rigid housing structure must also be configured tohold substantially all (at least 90% by weight) of the rinse additivecontents of the spin-cycle opened insert within the rigid housing untilthe spin cycle is completed. Thus the centrifugal force which opens therinse additive compartment(s) of the unit dose insert can also be usedto hold the contents released from the opened compartment(s) within thestructure, and even in some cases still within the opened compartment(s)of the insert, until the spin cycle is over. At the conclusion of thespin cycle, when the centrifugal force ceases, the contents of theopened inserts can then be allowed to flow from the structure, forexample by gravity through holes in the “bottom” of the structure.Alternatively, upon cessation of the spin cycle centrifugal force, thereleased rinse additive materials can be washed from the structure, andinto the washing machine drum, by rinse water then entering the housing.By having the structure hold the released rinse additive materials untilthe spin stops, the rinse additive material can thereby be kept frombeing washed out of the washing machine drum by being forced out of thedrum through the drainage holes in the drum wall during the spin cycle.

[0052] The unit dose insert package itself must be sized and configuredso as to work cooperatively with the rigid housing structure into whichit fits and within which it is used. The unit dose insert will thuscomprise at least one compartment for rinse additive materials which areto be dispensed into the rinse cycle during the course of the launderingoperation. Of course, the unit dose insert may utilize more than onecompartment for rinse additive materials. This may be useful when tworinse additive materials are incompatible with each other and may bedesirably separately packaged until they are added to the washingmachine drum. The unit dose insert may also optionally contain separatecompartments for laundry wash additive materials if the unit dose andhousing structure are configured to dispense wash additives as well asrinse additives.

[0053] Each compartment of the unit dose insert may be fashioned fromwater-insoluble materials, water-soluble materials or combinations ofboth types. Furthermore, some compartments of the insert may be madefrom water-insoluble materials while other compartments can be made fromwater-soluble materials. The compartments of the insert may also beflexible or rigid or have some compartments flexible and othercompartments rigid.

[0054] If the unit dose insert, or compartment thereof, is to be rigid,it may be made from any conventional polymeric material which can bethermoformed or injection molded into a relatively rigid structure. Thuspolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or polyester (e.g.,polyethylene terephthalate) may be used to form the unit dose insert. Apolymer material should be chosen which has good heat stability,especially if the insert is to be utilized in European washing machineswhere water temperatures approach boiling. The material of the insertshould also be inert to any chemicals which are present in the laundryadditives which the insert is to deliver.

[0055] A preferred configuration for the unit dose insert comprises athermoformed tub formed from water-insoluble plastic, such as forexample, polypropylene or polyethylene. The tub can be sealed with athin layer of puncturable or rupturable plastic or metal, e.g.,aluminum, foil. In another preferred configuration, a pouch with therinse additives may be flexible and fashioned from water-insolublematerials, e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene film. Either tub or pouchwill, of course, contain sealed within the rinse additive materials tobe dispensed from the opened insert package during the rinse stage ofthe laundering operation.

[0056] Either the rigid housing structure or the unit dose packageinsert to be placed within the housing or both must comprise some meansto open the unit dose insert package at the appropriate point during thelaundering cycle. Furthermore, these opening means must be activated bythe centrifugal force which is applied to the unit dose insert duringthe spin cycle.

[0057] Most preferably, the rigid housing structure itself will comprisethe means for opening an insert, preferably water-insoluble, held withinit. These means for opening the unit dose insert are, as noted, to beactivatable by the centrifugal force applied to the housingstructure/insert assembly during and as a consequence of the spin cycleduring operation of the washing machine being used. Thus, for example,the means for opening the rinse additive-containing unit dose packagemay comprise sharp protrusions, blades or knives which will impinge onthe unit dose insert during the spin cycle. The unit dose insert can bekept from initially contacting these opening means (until the spincycle), for example, by a hinged, spring-loaded or otherwise movablepositioning plate or baffle within the housing structure. Such a baffleor plate will hold the unit dose insert in a position such that theinsert does not, upon its initial placement in the housing structure,impinge upon the insert opening means. However, upon application of spincycle centrifugal force, the insert can exert force on the positioningplate or baffle, overcome the forces holding it in its initial positionand move the plate and itself into a position whereby the insert will bepunctured by the impinging puncturing means.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment for use with a soluble or partiallysoluble unit dose insert, the opening means for the unit dose insert cancomprise a movable housing structure element which will open holes inthe housing structure upon application of the spin cycle centrifugalforce. Water can then enter these opened holes during the subsequentrinse cycle, and this water can then dissolve or otherwise open theappropriately constructed and positioned unit dose insert or compartmentthereof. This type of arrangement contemplates that the housingstructure will be water-tight through the wash cycle and will not becomewater permeable until after the spin cycle opens it to incoming rinsewater.

[0059] In another preferred embodiment herein, the unit dose insertitself, and not the housing structure, may contain the means for openingthe insert compartment(s) containing rinse additive materials. These arethe compartments to be opened by means of the centrifugal force appliedto the insert during the spin cycle of the laundering operation. Suchrinse additive compartments may thus contain a frangible seal whichcomes apart or opens as pressure on the contents of the compartmentincreases as a consequence of the centrifugal force applied during thespin. Of course, the means for opening the rinse additive compartment(s)must be present in association with at least one of the rigid housingstructure or the unit dose insert itself so that, one way or another,the rinse additive compartment(s) will be opened at the appropriate timeduring the laundering operation.

[0060] Opening of the single or each of the several compartment(s) ofthe insert within the housing structure should permit most (at least 85%by weight), and preferably all, of the contents of the compartment soopened to be eventually combined with the rinse water present in thewashing machine drum during the rinse cycle. Rinse water in the drum forany rinse cycle during which a rinse additive compartment is opened inthe insert will typically eventually have added thereto from 5 to 50grams, preferably from 15 to 35 grams, of rinse additive material as aconsequence of the opening of the rinse additive compartment(s).

[0061] The rinse additive unit dose package of this invention may formpart of a larger unit dose package which can contain, for example, washadditives to be added to the wash cycle of the laundering operation.Thus the rinse additive insert may be joined to a water-soluble secondpackage containing wash additive materials. The rinse additive portionof the insert may be placed inside a housing structure as describedherein while the water-soluble wash additive portion of the insert canbe left outside the housing. As the washing machine drum fills, thesoluble portion of the insert dissolves, thereby releasing washadditives into the wash. The rinse additive portion stays within thehousing until the spin cycle wherein it too is opened according to thisinvention and its rinse additive contents subsequently dispensed intothe rinse cycle.

[0062] In another embodiment, the rinse additive compartment may be justone of a multi-compartmented unit dose insert which contains washadditives in other compartment(s). Such a multi-compartmented insert maythen be used with a housing structure configured to open both wash andrinse additive compartments and dispense their contents at appropriatetimes during the laundering operation. Insert and housing configurationsof this type are described in the concurrently-filed U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application of Yousef Georges Aouad and Arthur Hampton Neergaardhaving U.S. Serial No. 60/356,543 filed Feb. 13, 2002.

[0063] A rigid housing structure and a single rinse additive containingunit dose insert package and their relationship to each other for use inthe systems and methods and kits herein are all illustrated further bythe accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a rigid housingstructure of the type utilized in connection with the present invention.Such a housing structure comprises a hollow shell 10 having an opening11 through which a unit dose rinse additive package (not shown) can beinserted into the housing structure. The opening 11 has a lid 12 whichis hinged at points 13 and which is shown in FIG. 1 in the closedposition. The lid 12 can be opened to permit insertion of the unit doespackage or closed, as shown in FIG. 1, to further protect and keep inplace the unit dose insert. The shell 10 has apertures 14 through whichrinse additive material from the opened insert package can pass into thewashing machine drum at the beginning of and during the rinse cycle. Theshell 10 also has slits 15 which permit rinse water from the washingmachine drum to enter the housing structure during the rinse cycle andhelp wash out the rinse additive contents from the opened unit doseinsert package.

[0064]FIG. 2 shows the housing structure of FIG. 1 holding a unit doseinsert package and positioned against the wall of a washing machinedrum. In FIG. 2, the housing structure, as in FIG. 1, comprises a hollowshell 20 with an opening 21. The opening has a lid 22 hinged at hingepoints 23 with the lid being shown in FIG. 2 in the open position.Inside the hollow shell 20 a flexible unit dose package 26 has beeninserted. The whole assembly of housing structure and insert package ispositioned against the wall 27 of a washing machine drum. As shown inFIG. 2, the washing machine drum is in the upright vertical position asindicated by arrow 28 which points toward the top of the washingmachine. The housing structure has apertures 24 along the bottom of theshell 20 through which rinse additive material from the opened insertpackage can pass into the washing machine drum at the beginning of andduring the rinse cycle. The shell 20 also has slits 25 which permitrinse water from the washing machine drum to enter the housing structureduring the rinse cycle and help wash out the rinse additive contentsfrom the opened unit dose insert package.

[0065]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a housing structure which willhold a unit dose package as an insert and which can be attached to thewall of the washing machine drum. In FIG. 3 the housing structurecomprises a base 30 and a cover 31, which in the completely assembledhousing structure are joined together. A notch 32 in the cover forms anopening in the assembled housing structure through which a flexible unitdose rinse additive package 33 can be inserted into the housingstructure. A hinged lid 34 can be closed to cover the opening once theunit dose package has been inserted into the hollow area of the housingstructure.

[0066] The unit dose package itself has a flexible pouch 35 containingthe rinse additive to be dispensed and a flap 36 attached to the pouch.The consumer can use the flap 36 to grip and hold the unit dose insertpackage. The flexible pouch 35 portion of the unit dose insert packageis designed to rupture by means of a frangible seal (not shown). Thisfrangible seal opens as a consequence of the pressure exerted by thepouch contents when such contents are subjected to the centrifugal forcecreated by the washing machine spin cycle.

[0067] The housing structure has apertures 37 along the bottom of thecover 31 through which rinse additive material from the opened insertpackage 33 can pass into the washing machine drum at the beginning ofand during the rinse cycle. The cover 31 also has slits 38 which permitrinse water from the washing machine drum to enter the housing structureduring the rinse cycle and help wash out the rinse additive contentsfrom the opened unit dose insert package.

[0068] The housing structure is attached to the wall 39 of the washingmachine drum by means of a pegged attachment unit 301. The pegs of theattachment unit file into the holes 302 generally present in thecircumferential inside wall 39 of the washing machine drum. As shown inFIG. 3, the washing machine drum is in the upright vertical position asindicated by arrow 303 which points toward the top of the washingmachine.

[0069]FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of another type of housing structurefor use in this invention. This embodiment of the housing structure hasmeans associated with it for opening the insert it holds during the spincycle of the machine laundering operation. In FIG. 4 the housingstructure comprises a base 40 and a cover 41, which in the completelyassembled housing structure are joined together. A notch 42 in the coverforms an opening in the assembled housing structure through which aflexible unit dose rinse additive package 43 can be inserted into thehousing structure. A hinged lid 44 can be closed to cover the openingonce the unit dose package has been inserted into the hollow area of thehousing structure.

[0070] The unit dose package itself has a rigid thermoformed tub 45containing the rinse additive to be dispensed. This tub 45 is sealedwith a covering thin film (not shown) of rupturable orientedpolypropylene. This film extends beyond covering the tub 45 and forms aflap 46 attached to the tub. The consumer can use the flap 46 to gripand hold the unit dose insert package.

[0071] Positioned between the area where the unit dose package is placedas an insert and the housing structure base 40 is a positioning plate 47associated with the housing structure. This positioning plate 47 isattached to the structure base 40 by means of spring-loaded compressiblespacer means (not shown). When no force is applied to it, thepositioning plate 47 serves to keep the unit dose tub 45 away frompuncturing means 48 which are associated with the housing structure base40. During the spin cycle of the laundering operation, the spin cyclecentrifugal force acting upon the unit dose insert tub 45 causes the tubto exert pressure on the positioning plate 47 which causes thepositioning plate 47 to compress the spring loaded spacer means and tomove toward the base 40 with its puncturing means 48. As the positioningplate 47 moves toward the base 40, the puncturing means 48 protrudethrough holes 49 in the positioning plate 47 and impinge upon the sealof the thermoformed tub 45. When the centrifugal force becomes greatenough, the puncturing means 48 rupture the seal of the thermoformed tub45 of the insert, thereby permitting the emptying of the rinse additivecontents of the unit dose insert package.

[0072] The housing structure has apertures 401 along the bottom of thecover 41 through which rinse additive material from the opened insertpackage 43 can pass into the washing machine drum at the beginning ofand during the rinse cycle. The cover 41 also has slits 402 which permitrinse water from the washing machine drum to enter the housing structureduring the rinse cycle and help wash out the rinse additive contentsfrom the opened unit dose insert package.

[0073] The housing structure is attached to the wall 403 of the washingmachine drum by means of a pegged attachment unit 404. The pegs of theattachment unit file into the holes 405 generally present in thecircumferential inside wall 403 of the washing machine drum. As shown inFIG. 4, the washing machine drum is in the upright vertical position asindicated by arrow 406 which points toward the top of the washingmachine.

[0074] In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6C and FIGS. 7A-7C, aninsert 50 such as that of FIGS. 7A-7C is inserted into a housingstructure 51. The housing structure 51 comprises a base which includes abase plate 52 having side wall structure 53. A lid 54 for the housingstructure 51 is attached to the base plate 52 via a hinge pin 75.

[0075] The base plate 52 comprises an attachment means (not shown) whichis used to affix the housing structure 51 to the inside wall of awashing machine drum. The housing structure 51 is affixed to the washingmachine drum in such a manner that the base plate 52 is parallel to theaxis of the washing machine drum and is hence perpendicular to thedirection of centrifugal force which arises during the washing machinespin cycle.

[0076]FIG. 5A shows a progression from left to right in the fourdrawings in which the housing structure 51 is shown in an open positionfollowed with the insert 50 shown partially IS inserted into the housingstructure 51, followed with the insert 50 shown fully inserted, andfinally showing the insert 50 fully inserted with the lid 54 fullyclosed. FIGS. 5B and 5C show the same progression. Referring to FIGS.6A-6C, the insert 50 is shown comprising two rinse additive compartments70 and 71. The insert 50 is inserted into the housing structure 51 withthe rinse additive compartments 70 and 71 positioned toward the hinge ofthe housing structure lid 54.

[0077] The lid 54 is opened by squeezing the ends 55 of the lid 54 andmoving the lid 54 away from the base of the base plate 52. The lid 54opens partially due to a lid stop 60 but far enough to accept the insert50. The insert 50 is slid into the lid 54 so that when the lid 54 isclosed, the latching mechanism 62 is engaged. As a consequence ofclosing and latching, the rinse additive compartments 70 and 71 of theinsert 50 impinge upon puncturing means 63 associated with the baseplate 52. This action punctures the rinse additive compartments 70 and71 of the insert 50.

[0078] None of the contents of the rinse additive compartments 70 and 71are dispensed as the resulting punctures are well above the contentscontained within the rinse additive compartments 70 and 71. Later in thelaundering operation, during the spin cycle, the centrifugal forcegenerated by the spin cycle causes the rinse additive compartments 70and 71 of the insert 50 to release their contents in the housingstructure 51.

[0079] Rinse additives released by the centrifugal force of the spincycle are held in the housing structure 51 until the spin cycle stops.The released rinse additives then flow by gravity through opening 73 atthe bottom of the housing structure 51 and into the washing machinedrum.

[0080] The method of using the above-described system for sequentiallydispensing laundry additive materials into a fabric laundering operationcan be illustrated by the following example:

EXAMPLE

[0081] A one-compartment unit dose insert is prepared having the generalconfiguration of that shown in FIG. 4. The insert has a generallyrectangular tub portion 45 which is fashioned from 0.381 mm thickpolypropylene and is made by a thermoforming process. The tub portion 45of the insert so formed is 11.0 cm long, 7.0 cm wide and 2.5 cm thick.

[0082] Approximately 30 grams of an aqueous liquid fabric softenercomposition are placed in the tub portion 45 of the FIG. 4 insert. Sucha fabric softener composition comprises approximately 4.5% by weight ofditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC) softener active plus minoramounts of perfume and silicone.

[0083] The insert, with the composition as hereinbefore described in itscompartment, is sealed with a 0.0304 mm layer of oriented polypropylenefilm placed over the open compartment. This sealing film is extendedbeyond the edge of the tub 45 to form the flap portion 46 of the unitdose insert as shown in FIG. 4. The sealed unit dose insert package isthen placed in a rigid lidded housing structure of the type also shownin FIG. 4. Prior to insertion of the unit dose package, this rigidhousing structure is attached to the circumferential wall of the uprightdrum of a top-loading Kenmore 70 Series automatic washing machine. Thehousing is attached approximately 20 cm from the floor of the drum withthe structure backplate 40 parallel to the circumferential wall 403 ofthe drum. The lidded opening 42 in the housing structure faces the topof the washing machine.

[0084] With the lidded housing structure in the open configuration, theunit dose insert is placed therein as shown in FIG. 4. Fabrics to belaundered are then placed in the washing machine. Just prior to startingthe washing machine on its laundering cycle, the lid 44 of the housingstructure is closed. The washing machine is then started on its cycle.Throughout the washing cycle, the insert is protected by the housingstructure and remains intact with the film seal of its singlecompartment unbroken.

[0085] After a wash cycle of approximately 14 minutes, the washingmachine begins its spin cycle to remove the wash water from the drum.The centrifugal force generated by this spin cycle serves to push thesealed rinse additive tub 45 (FIG. 4) of the insert within the housingagainst the positioning plate 47. This in turn moves the positioningplate back toward the housing base 40 such that the rinse additiverupturing means 48 which form part of the rigid housing base 40 begin toprotude through the holes 49 in the positioning plate 47. This actioneventually causes the seal of the rinse additive compartment 45 torupture and release the fabric softener contents of the rinse additivecompartment into the housing structure. The continuing centrifugal forceof the spin cycle holds the released fabric softener composition in anarea of the housing structure where there are no holes so that thereleased fabric softener rinse additive stays within the housingstructure during the spin cycle.

[0086] After 2 minutes of the spin cycle, the spinning of the washingmachine drum ceases and the drum begins filling with rinse water. At thesame time, the rinse additive fabric softener composition which has beenheld within the housing structure during the spin cycle flows from thehousing structure primarily through the holes 401 in the bottom of thehousing cover 41 and into the rinse water. Rinse water in and enteringthe drum can also now enter the housing structure through slits 402 andwash out any residual fabric softener composition from the opened rinseadditive tub 45. In this manner approximately 30 grams of the fabricsoftener rinse additive composition are introduced into the rinse waterin the washing machine drum.

[0087] The rinse cycle continues for 5 minutes and thereafter thefabrics in the drum are wrung dry by a final spin cycle. Rinse additivefrom the insert has thus been delivered at the appropriate time to therinse cycle during the laundering operation.

[0088] The rigid housing structure and the rinse additive insertpackages therefor may be conveniently commercialized by marketing themin the form of kits. Thus the housing and insert which are to be usedtogether in the systems and methods of this invention may be soldtogether, packaged as a unitary commercial kit product. Furthermore, theunit dose insert packages may be sold by themselves as refills for usein a rigid housing structure which the consumer may have previouslypurchased and has already installed on the washing machine to be usedfor practice of this invention. In the case of refills, the inserts canbe marketed in combination with a set of instructions which describesthe previously-purchased housing structure into which the unit dose fitsand further describes the method of setting up and operating thehousing/insert system in the consumer's automatic washing machine.

[0089] All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein byreference. The citation of any document is not to be construed as anadmission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing laundry rinse additivematerial to the rinse water during the rinse cycle which occurs during afabric laundering operation carried out in a drum-containing automaticwashing machine, which system comprises: A) a unit dose packagecontaining a laundry rinse additive material; B) a rigid housingstructure into which said additive-containing unit dose package can beinserted at the beginning of the laundering operation, said housingstructure being positioned within the drum of said automatic washingmachine in a location which brings it into significant contact withrinse water during the laundering operation; C) means associated withsaid unit dose package or said housing structure or both to open saidunit dose package, said opening means being activated by centrifugalforce applied to said unit dose package during the spin cycle occurringin the operation of said automatic washing machine, whereby upon openingof said unit dose package the contents thereof can be emptied from saidpackage into said rigid housing structure and held within said structureby said centrifugal force during said spin cycle; and D) aperture meansassociated with said housing structure for providing gravitational flowof said laundry additive material from said housing structure into saidrinse water in said washing machine drum after cessation of saidcentrifugal force at the end of said spin cycle.
 2. A system accordingto claim 1 wherein said rigid housing structure is attached to aspecific spot within said washing machine drum where it stays for theduration of the laundering operation.
 3. A system according to claim 2wherein said insert contains one compartment for rinse additivematerial.
 4. A system according to claim 2 wherein said insert containstwo compartments for rinse additive material.
 5. A system according toclaim 1 wherein said insert is rigid and constructed from thermoformedpolymeric material.
 6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said insertis constructed at least in part from flexible polymeric material.
 7. Asystem according to claim 2 wherein said compartment opening meansassociated with said housing structure comprises means for puncturing atleast one of the compartments of said insert.
 8. A system according toclaim 2 which delivers from about 5 to 50 grams of rinse additivematerial to at least one rinse cycle during said fabric launderingoperation
 9. A system according to claim 8 wherein, after cessation ofthe spin cycle, substantially all of the contents of the opened rinseadditive compartment(s) of the insert flow into said washing machinedrum through holes in said housing structure.
 10. A method forintroducing laundry rinse additive material into the rinse water duringthe rinse cycle which occurs in a fabric laundering operation carriedout in a drum-containing automatic washing machine, which methodcomprises: A) providing a unit dose package containing a laundry rinseadditive material; B) inserting said additive-containing unit dosepackage into a rigid housing structure; C) at the beginning of theoperation of the automatic washing machine positioning said housingstructure, with said additive-containing unit dose package therein,within the drum of said automatic washing machine in a location whichbrings it into significant contact with rinse water during thelaundering operation; D) running said automatic washing machine throughits spin cycle to thereby apply centrifugal force to saidadditive-containing unit dose package within said housing structure,said centrifugal force serving to activate package opening meansassociated with said package or said housing structure or both, and tothereby open said package, release the contents thereof, and hold saidcontents within said rigid housing structure; and thereafter D) removingthe centrifugal force from said opened package by ending the spin cycleduring operation of said automatic washing machine; and thereafter E)allowing the laundry additive material within said rigid housingstructure to pass by gravitational flow through apertures in saidhousing structure into the rinse water present in the drum during therinse cycle in the operation of said automatic washing machine.
 11. Amethod according to claim 10 wherein said rigid housing structure isattached to a specific spot within said washing machine drum where itstays for the duration of the laundering operation.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 11 wherein said insert contains one compartment forrinse additive material.
 13. A method according to claim 11 wherein saidinsert contains two compartments for rinse additive material.
 14. Amethod according to claim 10 wherein said insert is rigid andconstructed from thermoformed polymeric material.
 15. A method accordingto claim 10 wherein said insert is constructed at least in part fromflexible polymeric material.
 16. A method according to claim 11 whereinsaid compartment opening means associated with said housing structurecomprises means for puncturing at least one of the compartments of saidinsert.
 17. A method according to claim 11 which delivers from about 5to 50 grams of rinse additive material to at least one rinse cycleduring said fabric laundering operation
 18. A method according to claim17 wherein, after cessation of the spin cycle, substantially all of thecontents of the opened rinse additive compartment(s) of the insert flowinto said washing machine drum through holes in said housing structure.19. A rinse additive dispensing device suitable for positioning withinthe drum of an automatic washing machine for fabric laundering andsuitable for dispensing laundry rinse additive material from a unit doseinsert into the rinse water during the rinse cycle which occurs during afabric laundering operation carried out in a drum-containing automaticwashing machine, which device comprises: A) a housing structure suitablefor holding an openable unit dose package containing laundry rinseadditive material; B) an opening within said housing structure suitablefor permitting insertion into said housing of said openable unit dosepackage containing said rinse additive material; C) means forpositioning said housing against the inner wall of the drum of saidwashing machine such that during the spin cycle of washing machineoperation said housing is capable of holding and retaining, by virtue ofcentrifugal force applied during said spin cycle, the rinse additivematerial released from said openable unit dose package into said housingduring said spin cycle; and; D) aperture means placed within saidhousing in such a manner as to permit said released laundry additivematerial, after cessation of said centrifugal force, to pass bygravitational flow through said aperture means within said housingstructure into the rinse water present in said drum during the rinsecycle in the operation of said washing machine.
 20. A dispensing deviceaccording to claim 19 which further comprises means for opening at leastone rinse additive-containing compartment of an insert placed therein,said opening means being activated by centrifugal force arising whensaid dispensing device is positioned within said washing machine drumduring the spin cycle of said laundering operation.
 21. A dispensingdevice according to claim 20 wherein all opening means comprise meansfor puncturing at least one of the compartments of the insert to be heldwithin said housing structure.
 22. A kit comprising the combination of arigid housing structure and one or more rinse additive-containing unitdose inserts as described in claim
 7. 23. A kit comprising at least onerinse additive-containing unit dose insert in combination with a set ofinstructions describing the method of using said insert in the system ofclaim 1.